Your deck should be built with a minimum of 2-by-8 joists spaced no more than 12 inches across the breadth of the deck. Once your deck starts sinking it can rip the ledger board away from the house or you will have to jack up the sunken area, excavate and pour a new larger footing. Ten-inch 2-by-10s are preferable. Item #1901581. per square foot. This means that if you had a 100 square foot deck (10′ x 10′), you’d be able to hold 5,000 pounds above it (assuming the weight was evenly distributed). Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. A 56-sq ft. hot tub with a dry weight of 855 lbs. can hold 420 gallons of water and seat 6-7 people (average weight per person = 185 lbs.). That would create a load on the deck of 131 pounds per square foot. This allows the wood beneath the pool to dry completely and to be sealed before using the following season. We're thinking of putting a 14 foot long by 36 inch deep inflatable pool on the wood deck. All standing water will need to be channeled and drained away. People can enjoy, swim, take sunbathe and relax in that area when they are free. 13 Answers. Chevron & Herringbone Decking. Let's add the dead load of 10 psf to our number and we get 111 psf in the area under the tub. Decks built ground level up to 2 feet off the ground can support up to 100 lbs per square foot; sufficient for most hot tubs. This of course raises your decking cost. That would create a load on the deck of 131 pounds per square foot. That makes the pool deck more essential element in designing outdoor swimming pools. Be on the safe side put a tarp down for it so wood don't pop a hole in it. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, This Old House: How to Build a Simple Deck, Popular Mechanics: Build a Backyard Pool Deck. I have an idea that might be a compromise. Most children's pools hold much more than one cubic foot, but even one foot is in violation of this number, which does not include the weight of … You will have a larger area for company, dinners and events. We have a dense sedimentary rock base (Central Texas caliche). 8 years ago. Model #74470. A deck surface must be kept clean and checked for splitting or splintering, to protect bare feet. Gone are the days of boring gray cement surrounding the pool. Also, if possible remove the pool every fall when swimming season concludes. Yes, even if you build a strong deck it can gradually sink into the soil if you don’t take into account the size of footings with respect of the load for the deck. You can place a pool on wooden deck if the installation considers a number of factors. The deck is about 15 years old, has no visible signs of rot, sagging or other easily found clues that it's gonna collapse. Corrosion in metal hardware such as nails and screws. For comparison, a 7-person hot tub is roughly 7′ x 7′. Some decks can be designed to hold the weight of an inflatable pool filled with water, but that’s not very common. Even the best-sealed marine-treated wood can still take in some water and lead to wood rot. Answer Save. … By my calculations that translates to approximately 192 p/sf without anyone in the pool. Of course, pools are very heavy. Finally, water moving around in your pool creates a lot of swaying and stress on a wood deck. A residential deck should be designed to hold 50 psf (40 psf live load and 10 psf dead load). It’s a good idea to inspect your deck regularly for signs of decay or instability, and to be careful not to pile too much on it--especially not an inflatable swimming pool. Although decks can be designed to carry such a load, most aren’t. Standing puddles under a deck not only can cause wood rot to the footings but also are places for mosquitoes and other insects to gather and multiply. Although decks can be designed to carry such a load, most aren’t. It doesn't have to do with the diameter of the pool, but the height, water will weight 62.4 pounds per square feet per foot of height. The news media regularly highlight at least a handful of incidents where decks gave way under the weight of a swimming pool. Wood decks are ideal for summer entertaining or for simply lounging outdoors. Finally, flooring for your deck must have even space between the floor planks so the water can adequately drain. Relevance. Also, any time your deck is damaged through use, such as dropping a heavy object that splits the wood, allow the wood to dry, sand and seal the damage. This pool would put a deck well over its weight limit. And a lot of water will be splashed, poured and dripped on your wooded deck, potentially weakening it over time. You can place a pool on a wooden deck if the construction takes into account several factors. It is cantilevered off the house and 9ft above the ground. Whatever you do, don't just think that it will be OK as the deck seems pretty strong. Bleach is not a great wood cleaner, it can damage the wood fibers Concrete pool decks can be stained any color that you can imagine in this day of custom mix stains. water + 1295 lbs. Figure 1 - Hot tub on raised deck. Save thousands off MSRP with upfront dealer pricing information and a transparent car buying experience. Water must drain proper from beneath the deck into the yard or some other open area. If it's on a good base of gravel, sand, or recycled concrete, it'll probably hold well. Make sure your deck structure is sound and very strong. But decks 2 feet or higher will need added support. divided by 56-sq ft. = 101 lbs. If possible, use marine-treated wood for your deck's construction. I … for pricing and availability. I can picture it, and I think this would look very nice. The answer you give a customer will never be as simple as just telling the customer that their deck can hold 2,000 pounds. If you’re installing an above ground pool, you’ll probably want a deck to accompany it. Also, it is 7.25 feet wide as well as 7.25 feet long. Yes, you can put a hot tub on a deck. Building a deck to hold a pool takes a little extra planning. Supporting foundation piles must be 4-by-4 marine-treated lumber secured in at least 8 inches of concrete footing. And a lot of water will be splashed, poured and dripped on your wooded deck, potentially weakening it over time. Why can I get away with not shoveling my deck? An average inflatable pool will exceed a typical decks weight limit. 855 lb. The pool fits perfectly and their used to be a hot tub in the same spot. Obviously, swimming pools are quite heavy. Would it be alright? I moved into a house where the pool deck was cracked and sinking...about and inch now since I moved in. There are much better wood deck cleaners out there other than bleach or bleach-based cleaners. … Lastly, you’ll have to ensure that your wooden deck is sturdy enough to hold your pool in place. Especially when people (added weight) are swimming in it.If water constantly splashed on your deck, wood will eventually get water logged and rot. Due to the design, diagonal decks are generally stronger than horizontal decks and can hold more weight. Common decks typically have a design load of about 50 pounds per square foot. Also, check out our recently rated deck materials (for subscribers). Building a deck to hold a pool takes a little extra planning. And lots of water will be dripped, poured and splashed on your wooden deck. This pool would put a deck well over its weight limit. 5655 lbs. Compare; Find My Store. That’s just not how it’s calculated. In some instances, an inexpensive above ground pool deck can cost $2,000. Favourite answer. Of course, pools are very heavy. Generally, we’re talking about 50 pounds per square foot. As the weight of the tub full of water will have to be calculated in addition to however many people the deck is deemed fit for, it is highly unlikely that the deck can take the extra weight legally, unless it was over-engineered in the first place. tub + 3500 lbs. On average, the cost to build an above ground pool deck can range between $4,700 to $7,800. This wood is used for building piers and docks in both fresh and salt water. Fence in both outer sides with nice rails, and at the bottom ground level, I would put in patio stones. With a master's degree in mass communications from the University of South Carolina College of Journalism, Tucker has been a writer for more than 30 years, with work ranging from news reports to feature stories. Pool deck is an area that immediately surrounds a pool. On May 31st, a deck collapse in Brooklyn, New York plunged three children into the Mill Basin Inlet below when their pool crashed through the planks. And it depends on quite a lot of variables. Anonymous. After adding a spa, plus water, plus people in the hot tub you … Because the strict building codes require that decks have enough strength to withstand snow, even more than roofs can withstand snow. I want to know how much weight my deck can support. The deck is supported by 4x4's set into cement with 2x6 runners supporting the decking above. I would not put a pool on top of a wooden deck, the weight alone could find that weak part of the structure and give out on you. This will prevent the joists from flexing side to side when a large amount of water moves in the pool. total weight. Figuring Out How Much Your Deck Handle. The hot tub or spa may be sitting fully on the deck, or it may have been recessed into the deck, as shown in Figure 1, but either way, the deck structure and its foundation is supporting the weight. 15-ft x 15-ft x 52-in Round Above-Ground Pool. [695 lbs + (325 Gallons x 8.34lbs) + (5 x 175)] / 52.56 = 81.44 Pounds Per Square Foot. It is 10'x16', framed with pressure treated wood. Learn how to stay on top of deck maintenance and the warning signs of a potential safety hazard from the Home Safety Council. Then build ascending stairs to the bottom level. i am with most people here, I would remove about 3/4 of the pool deck. How to Install Indoor/Outdoor Carpeting on a Wood Deck. I have repaired the drains, but the damage is done. These days pool decks are a biggest and common trend in decorating outdoor areas. Most decks are designed to hold 40 to 50 pounds per square foot, and one cubic foot of water weighs about 62 pounds. For more information about why we’re not fans of inflatable pools, check out our past coverage of inflatable pool hazards. If you screw a cleat in-between the rail of the pool and the fascia board on the deck you can fill the gap. Although decks can be designed to … The added support posts should be no more than 30″ apart & ideally placed in poured concrete. Missing connections underneath your deck. Common decks typically have a design load of about 50 pounds per square foot. Get Ratings on the go and compare while you shop, Consumer Reports News: August 18, 2010 04:47 PM, Privacy note: We won't use your friend's e-mail for anything other than sending this message. You can place a pool on a wooden deck if the construction takes into account several factors. I am building a deck that will support an above ground pool. Every year we hear of a few tragedies when decks collapse, often because of rotting wood and overload. Really, though, a crack won't change the slab's ability to support the pool. Remember, the deck will hold not only the weight of the pool but also the stresses of moving water. Along with the general strength and condition of your roof, you must ensure that the roof can handle water and hold up a deck without leaking. 3 Answers. Not to mention, if the deck is large enough you can incorporate a table with chairs to have a place to hang out around the pool too. In my pool build photos there are some shots of the framing for my pool deck. I'd assume that the pool will be placed on a mat of some sort that would protect it against any edges or irregularities in the concrete. It holds 325 gallons of water and seats 5 people. The deck will give you a place to lay your towels and also keep you out of the grass before getting in the pool. To account for lateral stresses, X braces should be installed at 12-inch intervals between the joists. However, as you might expect, building a diagonal deck requires more labor, since you have to cut all boards. Common decks typically have a design load of about 50 pounds per square foot. 0 0. Build & Buy Car Buying Service A single cubic foot of water weighs over 62 lbs.. Safety codes stipulate that a deck should only hold 40 lbs. Wesley Tucker is a lifelong southerner whose politics are objective, whose sports are many and whose avocations range from aviation to anthropology to history and all forms of media. The pool area is 130 sf (17' x 7'8") and, per the manufacturer's specs, the total weight if overflowed will be 25,000 pounds. Finally, water moving around in your pool creates a lot of swaying and stress on a wood deck. However, some decks can cost significantly more, depending on size and how elaborate the design. You can match or complement your house siding, your deck furniture, or make a statement with a bold color. for 7 occupants = 5655 lbs. You don’t have to shovel your deck and no your deck won’t collapse from not shoveling your snow. See our, Safety on Deck: Inflatable Pools and Decks—Never The Two Should Meet, Deciding When It's Time to Upgrade Your Child's Car Seat. Construct a deck that can hold up to the weight and stress of supporting a pool. This pool would put a deck well over its weight limit. Once completed, annually seal the deck with a quality wood-seal coating. Most raised decks are constructed to hold a family, maybe a few friends, a barbecue and some outdoor furniture. I just discovered that the pool drains on either side of the deck were clogged and the water was running back under the deck and then out, leaving several inches of air space between the deck and the soil. once you get your cleat in you can use the cleat and top rail to support a piece of decking to make a solid ledge. A simple deck of some 6-by-1 slats over a few 2-by-4 joists will not do the job. 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